The Inside Scoop on Pincushions: What Goes Inside?

For quilters and sewers alike, pincushions are not only necessary tools of the trade, but another item to personalize for the sewing room. While pincushions range from super simple to elaborate, they all serve an important purpose, so they’re worth doing right.

But the fun doesn’t stop at the design or the embellishment. What goes inside the pincushion is an important choice for anyone who wishes to get the best function out of their design. Not all pincushions are created equal when it comes to the stuffing.

Let’s review the most common types of pincushion stuffing and how to decide the best option for yours.

1. Cotton stuffing or batting

Cotton scraps, stuffing and batting are handy because most sewers and quilters have plenty in their stash. But cotton has drawbacks. It’s lightweight, and even when packed tightly into the cushion, it doesn’t give enough weight or stability to the pincushion. The cushion can be easily tipped or rolled when trying to add a pin or removing one. However, a lightweight stuffing won’t be a problem if you’re crafting a wearable pincushion bracelet, like the one below.

2. Ground walnut shells

The better option, chosen by many quilters, is finely ground walnut shells. These can be purchased in small quantities at many quilt shops and sewing supply stores. If you plan to make more than one pincushion, though, you might want to buy a large bag of these at the local pet supply store, where they’re sold as bedding for small animals. If you don’t want to store a large bag, scoop it out into baggies and share it with some friends!

The weight of the ground walnut shells will keep the pincushion in place during use, and the texture of the finely ground shells will help keep the pins and needles sharp. So it works for both functions and gives the shape of the pincushion a nice feel.

If you choose to use the ground shells, be sure to line the pincushion with muslin or batting scraps to prevent any leaks or seepage at seams. It is very easy to make a simple bag of muslin, fill it and then insert it into the pincushion before stitching the last seam closed.

3. Steel wool

A third option would be to use a steel wool pad. These can be found in the grocery store with the home cleaning products. Be sure to choose a product that does not have added chemicals or cleaners inside the pad. Just plain steel wool has the advantage of sharpening your pins and needles when used. It does have a bit of structure to shape your pincushion, but it will not add stability like the ground walnut shells will.

The disadvantages to the steel wool pads are that they are generally small and will fill only the smallest of pincushions. Using multiple steel wool pads will work, or you could use one in combination with other stuffings. Try adding one just to the top layer of your stuffing of ground shells or cotton and see if you like the effect. This will sharpen the needles without the difficulty manipulating several together. They can be abrasive to work with, so please use caution when handling them.

No matter what you choose to stuff your pin cushions with, these suggestions may give you an option not before considered. Whether you go with cotton, shells, steel wool or a combination of the three, make sure you stuff it tightly and close it securely for a durable finish. Your pins, your pin cushion and you will be very happy you did!

I only use natural wool fleece in my pincushions. The lanolin keeps pins and needles naturally smooth and rust-proof. It has a great texture and is very easy to use and doesn’t compact like cotton. I have even used fleece tops straight from the sheep shearing. Wool is my favorite. I tried using thin cotton batting only once as a top layer but the pins wouldn’t even poke through. It was like hitting a wall.

I’d like to add a note of warning to your comment on using batting for wrist pincushions. You say “However, a lightweight stuffing won’t be a problem if you’re crafting a wearable pincushion bracelet, like the one below”. Ideally, you need a protective barrier (perhaps a small disk of plastic) between the cushion and the wrist. Otherwise, if you are careless, a pin can go right through — and this can be uncomfortable. Most commercial wrist pincushions have this protection.

One word of caution about using walnut shells: While they provide excellent heft as filling, they could also prove a very poor choice should the user have a nut allergy and the habit of holding pins between the lips. If a walnut shelled filled pincushion is going into a bazaar or boutique, it should be clearly labeled as containing walnut shells to prevent an unfortunate incident.

That’s a great comment! I was thinking about making these for family gifts and remembered that my daughter in law is allergic to walnuts. I probably wouldn’t have thought about it without your comment. Great save!

That is what they used in the pin cushions of years ago. My pincushion from Hs which was over 50 years old finally died on me. Sawdust was leaking out everywhere. The silk outside had been poked so full of pins the sawdust leaked and the tomato got less and less till there was nothing left. I also was going to mention steel wool from hardware stores could be used in them.

I use rice in mine. I thought of using walnut shells in pin cushions to sell, but just opening the bag was a problem for me. I am allergic to walnuts. I threw the bag away. I have a question: Will using steel wool in a humid climate cause the steel wool to rust over time?

You can find ground walnut shells in 25 lb. boxes at stores that sell tools. They are used for tumbling and blasting and cheaper than any other source. My good friend’s husband put me on to the source as he tumbles brass for CW reproduction weapons. It is a LOT of ground walnut shells, but given the price online or at a quilt shop for a few ounces, you could easily sell by the pound at your local guild.

Thank you for writing this article! I use a fine sand (decorators sand found at most craft stores) enclosed in a wool pouch in my pincushions. I have heard to exercise care when choosing the contents of a Pincushion, as there could be residue on the pin that can stain the fabric. (This cautionary note came from a Home Ec teacher from waaaaay back “in the day.”)

I always put ground walnut shells in my biscornus and have not found it necessary to make an interior lining yet. Good point about nut allergy warning. The 8 pound bag of walnut shells I purchased at Petco goes a long way and, if you’re not making them to sell, should last for a long time.

A thought about lentils, rice, and other fillers: My daughter in law made a really cute Christmas craft and filled with rice. I packed it away in the attic and later found grains of rice everywhere – and the mouse droppings from some happily satisfied mice!

Years ago when my mother and I made pincushions we used the gravel sold for birdcages. THink we called it parakeet gravel. It worked very well. I still have a couple pincushions which contain this gravel.

A friend made small ‘strawberry’ needlecushions to go with the tomato pincushions using emery filings. They will not rust like steel wool, and keep needles really sharp. You might have to search for emery filings, but they will be worth it. Also, be sure to take apart old pin/needlecushions before discarding………it’s amazing how many tools are ‘lost’ in the innards over the years!

The Pincushion Tomato (with Strawberry attached) was most likely introduced during the Victorian Era. According to folklore, placing a tomato on the mantle of a new house guaranteed prosperity and repelled evil spirits. If tomatoes were out of season, families would improvise by using a round ball of red fabric filled with sand or sawdust. The good-luck symbol served a practical purpose: a place to store pins! typically, the tomato is filled with wool roving to prevent rust and the strawberry is filled with an abrasive to clean and sharpen the pins.

Be careful using sand in a pincushion that it doesn’t have salt in it. I made a bunch of pincushions to sell and used sand purchased in garden store. After a while the pins started getting etched and rusted; the result of the salt in the sand.

Since I sold the pincushions at a quilt show and knew most of the people that they were sold to, I ended up having either to return the money paid for the pincushions or replacing the pincushions with ones filled with walnut shells. Nobody has complained about the walnut shells yet. You live and learn. Of course, now I am worried about the walnut shells and allergies. I hope no one was allergic to them.

Another word about allergies to filling materials:
If you or the recipient of the pincushion is allergic to wool or lanolin, using wool as any part of the pincushion (inside or outside) can cause problems for the handler. Same for raw cotton allergies and using raw cotton batts. Nearly any natural fiber, whether animal or plant-based can cause allergic reactions. By accident, I learned I was allergic to kapok and buckwheat when I slept on pillows that used these plant materials as a stuffing—a very painful experience.
I have found sawdust (main cushion) and emery (sharpening “strawberry”) to be the best fillers for pincushions.